Method and system for implementing network element-level redundancy

ABSTRACT

According to a further embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling the second network element and the third network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network. The method may further include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated between the first network element and the multipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and the second path may be switched over to the other of the first path and the second path in response to an event.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to copending Patent Application entitled“Method and System for Implementing Network Element-Level Redundancy,”application Ser. No. 12/849,269, filed on Aug. 3, 2010.

This application is also related to copending Patent Applicationentitled “Method and System for Implementing Network Element-LevelRedundancy,” application Ser. No. 12/849,289, filed on Aug. 3, 2010.

This application is also related to copending Patent Applicationentitled “Method and System for Implementing Network Element-LevelRedundancy,” application Ser. No. 12/849,311, filed on Aug. 3, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to networked communicationsand, more particularly, to a method and system for implementing networkelement-level redundancy.

BACKGROUND

In telecommunications, information is often sent, received, andprocessed according to the Open System Interconnection Reference Model(OSI Reference Model or OSI Model). In its most basic form, the OSIModel divides network architecture into seven layers which, from top tobottom, are the Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network,Data-Link, and Physical Layers, which are also known respectively asLayer 7 (L7), Layer 6 (L6), Layer 5 (L5), Layer 4 (L4), Layer 3 (L3),Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 1 (L1). It is therefore often referred to as theOSI Seven Layer Model.

Layer 2 is the layer which typically transfers data between adjacentnetwork nodes in a wide area network or between nodes on the same localarea network segment. Layer 2 provides the functional and proceduralmeans to transfer data between network entities and might provide themeans to detect and possibly correct errors that may occur in Layer 1.Examples of Layer 2 protocols are Ethernet for local area networks(multi-node), the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), HDLC and ADCCP forpoint-to-point (dual-node) connections. Layer 2 data transfer may behandled by devices known as switches.

To ensure high reliability and availability in communications networks,protection switching is often used. When implemented, protectionswitching typically provides a primary or “working” path for a networkand a redundant or “protection” path for the network. Accordingly, eachpath may be monitored, and if a failure is detected on the working path,network traffic may be switched to the protection path. An example ofprotection switching may be Ethernet Linear Protection Switching (ELPS)as defined by the ITU G.8031 standard.

While protection switching may provide redundancy for link or pathfailures, it does not provide redundancy in the event of a failure of anetwork element (e.g., a switch) redundantly-interfaced to apoint-to-point network. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for suchnetwork-element level redundancy.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, disadvantages and problemsassociated with creating redundancy in L2 networks may be reduced oreliminated.

According to one embodiment, a method may include communicativelycoupling a first network element to a second network element via a firstpath of a point-to-point connection. The method may also includecommunicatively coupling the first network element to a third networkelement via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method mayfurther include configuring the first path and the second path as pathsof a linear protected switching connection (LPSC) such that trafficassociated with a service and communicated via one of the first path andthe second path may be switched over to the other of the first path andthe second path in response to an event.

According to another embodiment, a method may include communicativelycoupling a first network element to a second network element via a firstlink of a multi-chassis link aggregation group. The method may alsoinclude communicatively coupling the first network element to a thirdnetwork element via a second link of the multi-chassis link aggregationgroup. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling thesecond network element to a fourth network element via a first path of apoint-to-point network. The method may further include communicativelycoupling the third network element to the fourth network element via asecond path of the point-to-point network. The method may also includeconfiguring the first path and the second path as paths of a linearprotected switching connection such that traffic associated with aservice and communicated between the first network element and thefourth network element via the first link and the first path may beswitched over to the second link and the second path in response to anevent.

According to an additional embodiment, a method may includecommunicatively coupling a first network element to a second networkelement via a first path of a first point-to-point network. The methodmay also include communicatively coupling the first network element to athird network element via a second path of the first-point-to-pointnetwork. The method may additionally include communicatively couplingthe second network element to a fourth network element via a first pathof a second point-to-point network. The method may further includecommunicatively coupling the third network element to the fourth networkelement via a second path of the second point-to-point network. Themethod may also include configuring the first path and the second pathof the first point-to-point network as paths of a first linear protectedswitching connection and the first path and the second path of thesecond point-to-point network as paths of a second linear protectedswitching connection such that traffic associated with a service andcommunicated between the first network element and the fourth networkelement via the first path of the first point-to-point network and thefirst path of the second point-to-point network may be switched over tothe second path of the first point-to-point network and the second pathof the second point-to-point network in response to an event.

According to a further embodiment, a method may include communicativelycoupling a first network element to a second network element via a firstpath of a point-to-point network. The method may also includecommunicatively coupling the first network element to a third networkelement via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method mayadditionally include communicatively coupling the second network elementand the third network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network. Themethod may further include configuring the first path and the secondpath as paths of a linear protected switching connection such thattraffic associated with a service and communicated between the firstnetwork element and the multipoint-to-multipoint network via one of thefirst path and the second path may be switched over to the other of thefirst path and the second path in response to an event.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more technicaladvantages. A technical advantage may be that a network may providenetwork element-level redundancy for point-to-point Ethernet virtualchannels across a network.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include none, some, or all ofthe above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantagesmay be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example network includingprotection switching among multiple network elements, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram an example network element, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example network includingprotection switching among multiple network elements, wherein suchmultiple network elements are interfaced to a single link aggregationgroup, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example network includingprotection switching among multiple network elements interfaced betweenpoint-to-point network domains, in accordance with certain embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of another example network includingprotection switching among multiple network elements interfaced betweenpoint-to-point network domains, in accordance with certain embodimentsof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example network includingprotection switching among multiple network elements interfaced betweena point-to-point network and a multipoint-to-multipoint network, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example network 100 a includingprotection switching among multiple network elements 102 (e.g., networkelements 102 b and 102 c), in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, network 100 a may includenetwork element 102 a communicatively coupled to network element 102 band network element 102 c via point-to-point network 122.

Each network element 102 (e.g., network elements 102 a-102 c) in network100 a and network elements 102 described in FIG. 3-6 (e.g., networkelements 102 d-102 s of networks 100 b-110 e) may comprise any suitablesystem operable to transmit and receive traffic. As used herein,“traffic” means information transmitted, stored, or sorted in a network100 (e.g., networks 100 a-100 e). Such traffic may comprise optical orelectrical signals configured to encode audio, video, textual, and/orany other suitable data. The data may also be real-time ornon-real-time. Traffic may be communicated via any suitablecommunications protocol, including, without limitation, the Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) standard and Internet Protocol (IP). Additionally,the traffic communicated in networks 100 may be structured in anyappropriate manner including, but not limited to, being structured inframes, packets, or an unstructured bit stream. In the illustratedembodiment, each network element 102 may be operable to transmit trafficto one or more other network elements 102 and receive traffic from theone or more other network elements 102. Network elements 102 will bediscussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 2.

Point-to-point network 122 may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 a and network element102 b, and between network element 102 a and network element 102 c.

Network element 102 a may communicate with network elements 102 b and102 c using linear protected switching. Accordingly, network element 102a may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 b and 102 cthrough a linearly protected switching connection. The linearlyprotected switching connection may comprise a working path 118 and aprotection path 120. Network element 102 a may be communicativelycoupled to network element 102 b via working path 118, and may becommunicatively coupled to network element 102 c via protection path120. In certain embodiments, with respect to network element 102 a, thelinearly protected switching connection may be configured in accordancewith the ITU G.8031 standard. In these and other embodiments, withrespect to network elements 102 b and 102 c, the linear protectedswitching connection may be configured in connection with a modifiedmulti-chassis version of the ITU G.8031 standard. In addition, networkelement 102 a may be communicatively coupled to other network entities(e.g., other network elements) via link 126 a, network element 102 b maybe communicatively coupled to other network entities via link 126 b, andnetwork element 102 c may be communicatively coupled to other networkentities via link 126 c.

Network element 102 a may be configured to perform linear protectedswitching between working path 118 and protection path 120. For example,network element 102 a may be configured to perform protection switchingbetween paths 118 and 120 in accordance with the G.8031 standard and maythus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintaining state informationand switchover information for protection switching. In certainembodiments, network element 102 a may be multi-homed such that networkelements 102 b and 102 c appear as a single network element to networkelement 102 a.

In addition, network elements 102 b and 102 c may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 and protectionpath 120. For example, network elements 102 b and 102 c may beconfigured to perform protection switching between paths 118 and 120 inaccordance with the G.8031 standard and each may thus maintain a G.8031state machine for maintaining state information and switchoverinformation for protection switching. In addition, network elements 102b and 102 c may be communicatively coupled via a synchronizationconnection 124. Via synchronization connection 124, network elements 102b and 102 c may communicate to each other such state information andswitchover information. In certain embodiments, such communication viasynchronization connection 124 may be in accordance with Inter-ControlCenter Communications Protocol (ICCP) or similar protocol.Synchronization connection 124 may include a direct link, apoint-to-point connection over point-to-point network 122, a dedicatedmanagement network, or any other suitable type of connection. In theseand other embodiments, synchronization connection 124 may includeredundancy (e.g., multiple physical links between network elements 102 band 102 c) to provide high reliability and availability of communicationbetween network elements 102 b and 102 c.

In operation, paths 118 and 120 may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 a and network elements 102 b and 102 c. Fora particular service, one of paths 118, 120 may be designated as active,such that traffic for such service is communicated over such activepath. In the event of a failure or other event, one or more of networkelements 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c may cause a protection switch of theservice from the active path to the other path (e.g., from working path118 to protection path 120). In certain embodiments, such protectionswitching may be implemented in accordance with the G.8031 standard.

In addition, during operation paths 118 and 120 may be configured inaccordance with any suitable redundancy scheme. For example, a 1+1protection scheme may be used in which traffic is replicated among paths118 and 120 and an end point network element may determine which path toselect. As another example, a 1:1 scheme may be used in which alltraffic is communicated over a single path (e.g., working path 118) andis protection switched to the other (e.g., protection path 120) inresponse to an event.

Protection switching from one path to another may occur in response toany suitable event. For example, failure of a path 118, 120 may cause aswitchover to the other path. As another example, failure of a link 126b or 126 c or other event upstream of network elements 102 b and/or 102c may cause a switchover (e.g., failure of link 126 b may cause aswitchover from working path 118 to protection path 120). As anadditional example, a switchover may occur automatically after a failurecondition has been remedied (e.g., a wait to restore timer initiatedafter a failure on working path 118 may trigger a switchover fromprotection path 120 to working path 118). As a further example, aswitchover may occur in response to a human-initiated action (e.g., acommand to switchover issued by a network operator/administrator). Allsuch events may be monitored by network elements 102 b and 102 c and allsuch monitoring may be synchronized between network elements 102 b and102 c via synchronization connection 124. In addition, switchovers maybe initiated by network element 102 b and/or network element 102 c inresponse to such monitored events, and such initiation of suchswitchovers may also be synchronized between network elements 102 b and102 c via synchronization connection 124.

A technical advantage of network 100 a is that it provides for networkelement-level redundancy for point-to-point Ethernet virtual channelsacross a network. In addition, an access network element (e.g., networkelement 102 a) need not be directly connected to network elements 102 band 102 c, as would be the case with multiple chassis link aggregation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram an example network element 102, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Networkelement 102 of FIG. 2 may be exemplary of the various network elementsdiscussed elsewhere in this disclosure (e.g., network elements 102 a-102p). Each network element 102 may be coupled to one or more other networkelements 102 via one or more transmission media 12. Each network element102 may generally be configured to receive data from and/or transmitdata to one or more other network elements 102. In certain embodiments,network element 102 may comprise a switch configured to route datareceived by network element 102 to another device (e.g., another networkelement 102) coupled to network element 102.

As depicted in FIG. 2, each network element 102 may include a mastercontrol unit 103, a switching element 104, and one or more networkinterfaces 106 communicatively coupled to each of master control unit103 and switching element 104.

Master control unit 103 may include any suitable system, apparatus, ordevice configured to manage network element 102, including management ofrouting of data between ports 110. As shown in FIG. 2, master controlunit 103 may maintain a routing table, wherein such routing table mayinclude any table, database, file, or other data structure configured tomaintain information relating a particular ingress port 110 and/or linkaggregation group (LAG) 112 to a corresponding egress port 110 and/orLAG 112.

Switching element 104 may be communicatively coupled to master controlunit 103 and may include any suitable system, apparatus, or deviceconfigured to receive traffic via a port 110 and route such traffic to aparticular network interface 106 and/or port 110 based on analyzing thecontents of the data and/or based on a characteristic of a signalcarrying the data (e.g., a wavelength and/or modulation of the signal).For example, in certain embodiments, a switching element 104 may includea switch fabric (SWF).

Each network interface 106 may include any suitable system, apparatus,or device configured to serve as an interface between a network element102 and a transmission medium 12. Each network interface 106 may enableits associated network element 102 to communicate to other networkelements 102 using any suitable transmission protocol and/or standard.Network interface 106 and its various components may be implementedusing hardware, software, or any combination thereof. For example, incertain embodiments, one or more network interfaces 106 may include anetwork interface card. In the same or alternative embodiments, one ormore network interfaces 106 may include a line card.

As depicted in FIG. 2, each of network interfaces 106 may include one ormore physical ports 110. Each physical port 110 may include any system,device or apparatus configured to serve as a physical interface betweena corresponding transmission medium 12 and network interface 106. Forexample, a physical port may comprise an Ethernet port, an optical port,or any other suitable port.

As shown in FIG. 2, two or more physical ports 110 of a particularnetwork element 102, their corresponding physical ports 110 of anothernetwork element 102, and their corresponding transmission media 12 maybe grouped into a link aggregation group (LAG) 112. Although each LAG112 in FIG. 2 is depicted as including a particular number of memberphysical ports 110, LAG 112 may include any suitable number of memberphysical ports 110. LAG 112 may combine its member ports or member LAGsusing link aggregation such that the member ports are represented as asingle logical port to components of a network 100 (e.g., a network 100a-100 e) external to LAG 112. Although each LAG 112 in FIG. 2 isdepicted as including only ports 110 of a single network element 102, aLAG 112 may in some embodiments include ports 110 of two or more networkelements 102 (e.g., multi-chassis link aggregation).

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example network 100 b includingprotection switching among multiple network elements (e.g., networkelements 102 e and 102 f), wherein such multiple network elements areinterfaced to a single multi-chassis link aggregation group (e.g., LAG112), in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 3, network 100 b may include network element 102 dcommunicatively coupled to network element 102 e and network element 102f via a multi-chassis LAG 112, and network element 102 g communicativelycoupled to network element 102 e and network element 102 f viapoint-to-point network 122.

As described above, each of network elements 102 d-102 g may compriseany suitable system operable to transmit and receive traffic.Point-to-point network 122 may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 e and network element102 g, and between network element 102 f and network element 102 g.Point-to-point network 122 depicted in FIG. 3 may be similar topoint-to-point network 122 depicted in FIG. 1.

Network element 102 d may be multi-homed via LAG 112 to network elements102 e and 102 f such that network elements 102 e and 102 f appear as asingle network element to network element 102 d.

Network element 102 g may communicate with network elements 102 e and102 f using linear protected switching. Accordingly, network element 102g may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 e and 102 fthrough a linearly protected switching connection. The linearlyprotected switching connection may comprise a working path 118 and aprotection path 120 and may be similar to the linearly protectedswitching connection described above with respect to FIG. 1. Networkelement 102 g may be configured to perform linear protected switchingbetween working path 118 and protection path 120. For example, networkelement 102 g may be configured to perform protection switching betweenpaths 118 and 120 in accordance with the G.8031 standard and may thusmaintain a G.8031 state machine for maintaining state information andswitchover information for protection switching.

In addition, network elements 102 e and 102 f may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 and protectionpath 120. For example, network elements 102 e and 102 f may beconfigured to perform protection switching between paths 118 and 120 inaccordance with a modified multi-chassis version of the G.8031 standardand each may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintaining stateinformation and switchover information for protection switching. Inaddition, network elements 102 e and 102 f may be communicativelycoupled via a synchronization connection 124. Via synchronizationconnection 124, network elements 102 e and 102 f may communicate to eachother such state information and switchover information. Synchronizationconnection 124 depicted in FIG. 3 may be similar to synchronizationconnection 124 depicted in FIG. 1.

In operation, paths 118 and 120 may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 g and network elements 102 e and 102 f (andultimately, connectivity for services between network elements 102 d and102 g). For a particular service, one of paths 118, 120 may bedesignated as active, such that traffic for such service is communicatedover such active path. In the event of a failure or other event, one ormore of network elements 102 e, 102 f, and 102 g may cause a protectionswitch of the service from the active path to the other path (e.g., fromworking path 118 to protection path 120). In certain embodiments, suchprotection switching may be implemented in accordance with the G.8031standard.

Similarly, for a particular service, one of member links 128 a and 128 bof LAG 112 may be designated as active and the other as standby, suchthat traffic for such service is communicated over such active link. Inthe event of a failure or other event, one or more of network elements102 d, 102 e, and 102 f may cause traffic associated from the service tobe switched from the active link to the standby link (e.g., from link128 a to link 128 b).

In addition, during operation paths 118 and 120 and links 128 may beconfigured in accordance with any suitable redundancy scheme. Forexample, a 1+1 protection scheme may be used in which traffic isreplicated among paths 118 and 120 and links 128 and an end pointnetwork element may determine which path/link combination to select. Asanother example, a 1:1 scheme may be used in which all traffic iscommunicated over a single path/link combination (e.g., working path 118and link 128 a) and is protection switched to the other (e.g.,protection path 120 and link 128 b) in response to an event.

Protection switching from one path/link combination to another may occurin response to any suitable event. For example, failure of either of apath 118, 120 or a link 128 in a path/link combination may cause aswitchover to the other path/link combination (e.g., a failure in eitherof path 118 or link 128 a may cause switchover to the combination ofpath 120 and link 128 b). As an additional example, a switchover mayoccur automatically after a failure condition has been remedied (e.g., await to restore timer initiated after a failure on working path 118 maytrigger a switchover from protection path 120 to working path 118, and aswitchover from link 128 b to link 128 a). As a further example, aswitchover may occur in response to a human-initiated action (e.g., acommand to switchover issued by a network operator/administrator). Allsuch events may be monitored by network elements 102 e and 102 f and allsuch monitoring may be synchronized between network elements 102 e and102 f via synchronization connection 124. In addition, switchovers maybe initiated by network element 102 e and/or network element 102 f inresponse to such monitored events, and such initiation of suchswitchovers may also be synchronized between network elements 102 e and102 f via synchronization connection 124.

A technical advantage of network 100 b is that it provides for networkelement-level redundancy for point-to-point Ethernet virtual channelsacross a network that is interoperable with multi-chassis linkaggregation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example network 100 c includingprotection switching among multiple network elements 102 i and 102 jinterfaced between point-to-point network domains 122 a and 122 b, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 4, network 100 c may include network element 102 hcommunicatively coupled to network element 102 i and network element 102j via point-to-point network 122 a, and network element 102 kcommunicatively coupled to network element 102 i and network element 102j via point-to-point network 122 b.

As described above, each of network elements 102 h-102 k may compriseany suitable system operable to transmit and receive traffic.Point-to-point network 122 a may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 h and network element102 i, and between network element 102 h and network element 102 j.Point-to-point network 122 b may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 k and network element102 i, and between network element 102 k and network element 102 j.Point-to-point networks 122 a and 122 b depicted in FIG. 4 may besimilar to point-to-point networks 122 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Network element 102 h may be multi-homed such that network elements 102i and 102 j appear as a single network element to network element 102 h.

Network element 102 h may communicate with network elements 102 i and102 j using linear protected switching. Accordingly, network element 102h may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 i and 102 jthrough a linearly protected switching connection. The linearlyprotected switching connection may comprise a working path 118 a and aprotection path 120 a and may be similar to the linearly protectedswitching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3.Network element 102 h may be configured to perform linear protectedswitching between working path 118 a and protection path 120 a. Forexample, network element 102 h may be configured to perform protectionswitching between paths 118 a and 120 a in accordance with the G.8031standard and may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintainingstate information and switchover information for protection switching.

Furthermore, network element 102 k may communicate with network elements102 i and 102 j using linear protected switching. Accordingly, networkelement 102 k may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 iand 102 j through a linearly protected switching connection. Thelinearly protected switching connection may comprise a working path 118b and a protection path 120 b and may be similar to the linearlyprotected switching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1and 3. Network element 102 k may be configured to perform linearprotected switching between working path 118 b and protection path 120b. For example, network element 102 k may be configured to performprotection switching between paths 118 b and 120 b in accordance withthe G.8031 standard and may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine formaintaining state information and switchover information for protectionswitching.

In addition, network elements 102 i and 102 j may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 a and protectionpath 120 a and protection switching between working path 118 b andprotection path 120 b. For example, network elements 102 i and 102 j maybe configured to perform protection switching between paths 118 a and120 a and between paths 118 b and 120 b in accordance with a modifiedmulti-chassis version of the G.8031 standard and each may thus maintaina G.8031 state machine for maintaining state information and switchoverinformation for protection switching. In addition, network elements 102i and 102 j may be communicatively coupled via a synchronizationconnection 124. Via synchronization connection 124, network elements 102i and 102 j may communicate to each other such state information andswitchover information. Synchronization connection 124 depicted in FIG.4 may be similar to synchronization connections 124 depicted in FIGS. 1and 3.

In operation, paths 118 a and 120 a may provide connectivity forservices between network element 102 h and network elements 102 i and102 j (and ultimately, connectivity for services between networkelements 102 h and 102 k). For a particular service, one of paths 118 a,120 a may be designated as active, such that traffic for such service iscommunicated over such active path. In the event of a failure or otherevent, one or more of network elements 102 h, 102 i, and 102 j may causea protection switch of the service from the active path to the otherpath (e.g., from working path 118 a to protection path 120 a). Incertain embodiments, such protection switching may be implemented inaccordance with the G.8031 standard.

Similarly, paths 118 b and 120 b may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 k and network elements 102 i and 102 j (andultimately, connectivity for services between network elements 102 h and102 k). For a particular service, one of paths 118 b, 120 b may bedesignated as active, such that traffic for such service is communicatedover such active path. In the event of a failure or other event, one ormore of network elements 102 k, 102 i, and 102 j may cause a protectionswitch of the service from the active path to the other path (e.g., fromworking path 118 b to protection path 120 b). In certain embodiments,such protection switching may be implemented in accordance with theG.8031 standard.

In addition, during operation paths 118 a, 118 b, 120 a and 120 b may beconfigured in accordance with any suitable redundancy scheme. Forexample, a 1+1 protection scheme may be used in which traffic isreplicated among paths 118 and 120 a, and an end point network elementmay determine which paths to select. As another example, a 1:1 schememay be used in which all traffic is communicated over a single pair ofpaths (e.g., working paths 118 a and 118 b) and is protection switchedto the other pair of paths (e.g., protection paths 120 a and 120 b) inresponse to an event.

Protection switching from one pair of paths to another may occur inresponse to any suitable event. For example, failure of any path 118 a,118 b, 120 a, or 120 b may cause a switchover in both point-to-pointnetworks 122 a and 122 b (e.g., a failure in either of path 118 a orpath 118 b may cause switchover to path 120 a and 120 b). As anadditional example, a switchover may occur automatically after a failurecondition has been remedied (e.g., a wait to restore timer initiatedafter a failure on working path 118 a or 118 b may trigger a switchoverfrom protection path 120 b to working path 118 b, and a switchover fromprotection path 120 a to working path 118 a). As a further example, aswitchover may occur in response to a human-initiated action (e.g., acommand to switchover issued by a network operator/administrator). Allsuch events may be monitored by network elements 102 i and 102 j and allsuch monitoring may be synchronized between network elements 102 i and102 j via synchronization connection 124. In addition, switchovers maybe initiated by network element 102 i and/or network element 102 j inresponse to such monitored events, and such initiation of suchswitchovers may also be synchronized between network elements 102 i and102 j via synchronization connection 124.

A technical advantage of network 100 c is that it provides a redundantsolution to two L2 network domains that provide point-to-point L2services.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of another example network 100 dincluding protection switching among multiple network elements (e.g.,network elements 102 m and 102 n) interfaced between point-to-pointnetwork domains, in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, network 100 d may include networkelement 102 l communicatively coupled to network element 102 m andnetwork element 102 n via point-to-point network 122 c, and networkelements 102 o and 102 p communicatively coupled to network element 102m and network element 102 n via point-to-point network 122 d.

As described above, each of network elements 102 l-102 p may compriseany suitable system operable to transmit and receive traffic.Point-to-point network 122 c may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 l and network element102 m, and between network element 102 l and network element 102 n.Point-to-point network 122 b may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 m and network element102 o, between network element 102 m and network element 102 p, betweennetwork element 102 n and network element 102 o, and between networkelement 102 n and network element 102 p. Point-to-point network 122 cand 122 d depicted in FIG. 5 may be similar to point-to-point networks122 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3 and/or point-to-point networks 122 aand/or 112 b depicted in FIG. 4.

Network element 102 l may be multi-homed such that network elements 102m and 102 n appear as a single network element to network element 102 l.Network elements 102 m and 102 n may be multi-homed such that networkelements 102 o and 102 p appear as a single network element to each ofnetwork elements 102 m and 102 n. Network elements 102 o and 102 p maybe multi-homed such that network elements 102 m and 102 n appear as asingle network element to each of network elements 102 o and 102 p.

Network element 102 l may communicate with network elements 102 m and102 n using linear protected switching. Accordingly, network element 102l may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 m and 102 nthrough a linearly protected switching connection. The linearlyprotected switching connection may comprise a working path 118 c and aprotection path 120 c and may be similar to the linearly protectedswitching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.Network element 102 l may be configured to perform linear protectedswitching between working path 118 c and protection path 120 c. Forexample, network element 102 l may be configured to perform protectionswitching between paths 118 c and 120 c in accordance with the G.8031standard and may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintainingstate information and switchover information for protection switching.

Furthermore, network element 102 m may communicate with network elements102 o and 102 p using linear protected switching. Accordingly, networkelement 102 m may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 oand 102 p through a linearly protected switching connection. Thelinearly protected switching connection may comprise a working path 118d and a protection path 120 d and may be similar to the linearlyprotected switching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1,3 and 4. Network element 102 m may be configured to perform linearprotected switching between working path 118 d and protection path 120d. For example, network element 102 m may be configured to performprotection switching between paths 118 d and 120 d in accordance withthe G.8031 standard and may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine formaintaining state information and switchover information for protectionswitching.

In addition, network element 102 n may communicate with network elements102 o and 102 p using linear protected switching. Accordingly, networkelement 102 n may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 oand 102 p through a linearly protected switching connection. Thelinearly protected switching connection may comprise a working path 118e and a protection path 120 e and may be similar to the linearlyprotected switching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1,3 and 4. Network element 102 n may be configured to perform linearprotected switching between working path 118 e and protection path 120e. For example, network element 102 n may be configured to performprotection switching between paths 118 e and 120 e in accordance withthe G.8031 standard and may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine formaintaining state information and switchover information for protectionswitching.

In addition, network elements 102 m and 102 n may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 c and protectionpath 120 c. For example, network elements 102 m and 102 n may beconfigured to perform protection switching between paths 118 c and 120 cin accordance with a modified multi-chassis version of the G.8031standard and each may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine formaintaining state information and switchover information for protectionswitching. In addition, network elements 102 m and 102 n may becommunicatively coupled via a synchronization connection 124 a. Viasynchronization connection 124 a, network elements 102 m and 102 n maycommunicate to each other such state information and switchoverinformation. Synchronization connection 124 a depicted in FIG. 5 may besimilar to synchronization connections 124 depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

Similarly, network elements 102 o and 102 p may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 d and protectionpath 120 d and protection switching between working path 118 e andprotection path 120 e. For example, network elements 102 o and 102 p maybe configured to perform protection switching between paths 118 d and120 d and between paths 118 e and 120 e in accordance with a modifiedmulti-chassis version of the G.8031 standard and each may thus maintaina G.8031 state machine for maintaining state information and switchoverinformation for protection switching. In addition, network elements 102o and 102 p may be communicatively coupled via a synchronizationconnection 124 b. Via synchronization connection 124 b, network elements102 o and 102 p may communicate to each other such state information andswitchover information. Synchronization connection 124 b depicted inFIG. 5 may be similar to synchronization connection 124 a and/orsynchronization connections 124 depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

In operation, paths 118 c and 120 c may provide connectivity forservices between network element 102 l and network elements 102 m and102 n (and ultimately, connectivity for services between networkelements 102 l and 102 o and between network elements 102 l and 102 p).For a particular service, one of paths 118 c, 120 c may be designated asactive, such that traffic for such service is communicated over suchactive path. In the event of a failure or other event, one or more ofnetwork elements 102 l, 102 m, and 102 n may cause a protection switchof the service from the active path to the other path (e.g., fromworking path 118 c to protection path 120 c). In certain embodiments,such protection switching may be implemented in accordance with theG.8031 standard.

Similarly, paths 118 d and 120 d may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 m and network elements 102 o and 102 p (andultimately, connectivity for services between network elements 102 l and102 o and between network elements 102 l and 102 p). For a particularservice, one of paths 118 d, 120 d may be designated as active, suchthat traffic for such service is communicated over such active path. Inthe event of a failure or other event, one or more of network elements102 m, 102 o, and 102 p may cause a protection switch of the servicefrom the active path to the other path (e.g., from working path 118 d toprotection path 120 d). In certain embodiments, such protectionswitching may be implemented in accordance with the G.8031 standard.

Moreover, paths 118 e and 120 e may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 n and network elements 102 o and 102 p (andultimately, connectivity for services between network elements 102 l and102 o and between network elements 102 l and 102 p). For a particularservice, one of paths 118 e, 120 e may be designated as active, suchthat traffic for such service is communicated over such active path. Inthe event of a failure or other event, one or more of network elements102 n, 102 o, and 102 p may cause a protection switch of the servicefrom the active path to the other path (e.g., from working path 118 e toprotection path 120 e). In certain embodiments, such protectionswitching may be implemented in accordance with the G.8031 standard.

In addition, during operation, each set of paths 118 c and 120 c, 118 dand 120 d, and 118 e and 120 e, may be configured in accordance with anysuitable redundancy scheme. For example, a 1+1 protection scheme may beused in which traffic is replicated among paths making up a linearlyprotected switching connection, and an end point network element maydetermine which paths to select. As another example, a 1:1 scheme may beused in which all traffic is communicated over one path of a linearlyprotected switching connection and is protection switched to the otherpath of the linearly protected switching connection in response to anevent.

Protection switching from one path to another may occur in response toany suitable event. For example, failure of any path of in a linearlyprotected switching connection may cause a switchover to the other pathof the linearly protected switching connection (e.g., a failure in path118 c may cause switchover to path 120 c, a failure in path 118 d maycause switchover to path 120 d, and a failure in path 118 e may causeswitchover to path 120 e). Advantageously, in network 100 d a failure inone path may cause a switchover only in the linear protected switchingconnection including such path without leading to switchover of otherlinear protected switching connections, thus minimizing disruption. Forexample, a failure of path 118 d causing a switchover to path 120 d mayhave no effect on the protection switching status of paths 118 c and 120c. In addition, a failure of path 118 c causing a switchover to path 120c may cause traffic to be switched from the linear protected switchingconnection including paths 118 d and 120 d to the linear protectedswitching connection including paths 118 e and 120 e, but may have noeffect on the protection switching statuses of the linear protectedswitching connection including paths 118 d, 120 d, 118 e, and 120 e.

As an additional example, a switchover may occur automatically after afailure condition has been remedied (e.g., a wait to restore timerinitiated after a failure on working path 118 c may trigger a switchoverfrom protection path 120 c to working path 118 c). As a further example,a switchover may occur in response to a human-initiated action (e.g., acommand to switchover issued by a network operator/administrator).

All such events for the linear protected switching connection includingpaths 118 c and 120 c may be monitored by network elements 102 m and 102n and all such monitoring may be synchronized between network elements102 m and 102 n via synchronization connection 124 a. In addition,switchovers for the linear protected switching connection includingpaths 118 c and 120 c may be initiated by network element 102 m and/ornetwork element 102 n in response to such monitored events, and suchinitiation of such switchovers may also be synchronized between networkelements 102 m and 102 n via synchronization connection 124 a.

All such events for the linear protected switching connection includingpaths 118 d and 120 d and the linear protecting switching connectionincluding paths 118 e and 120 e may be monitored by network elements 102o and 102 p and all such monitoring may be synchronized between networkelements 102 o and 102 p via synchronization connection 124 b. Inaddition, switchovers for the linear protected switching connectionincluding paths 118 d and 120 d and the linear protected switchingconnection including paths 118 e and 120 e may be initiated by networkelement 102 o and/or network element 102 p in response to such monitoredevents, and such initiation of such switchovers may also be synchronizedbetween network elements 102 o and 102 p via synchronization connection124 b.

A technical advantage of network 100 d is that it provides a redundantsolution to two L2 network domains that provide point-to-point L2services using multiple levels of redundancy.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example network 110 e includingprotection switching among multiple network elements (e.g., networkelements 102 r and 102 s) interfaced between a point-to-point network122 and a multipoint-to-multipoint network 130, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6,network 100 d may include network element 102 q communicatively coupledto network element 102 r and network element 102 s via point-to-pointnetwork 122, with network elements 102 r and 102 s communicativelycoupled to multipoint-to-multipoint network 130.

As described above, each of network elements 102 q-102 s may compriseany suitable system operable to transmit and receive traffic.Point-to-point network 122 may be any network of one or more networkelements (e.g., routers and switches) suitable to provide one or morepoint-to-point paths between network element 102 q and network element102 r, and between network element 102 q and network element 102 s.Point-to-point network 122 depicted in FIG. 6 may be similar topoint-to-point networks 122 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3 and point-to-pointnetworks 122 a and 122 b depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Multipoint-to-multipoint network 130 may include a bridged network orsimilar network that uses flooding (e.g., broadcasting) and examinationof source addresses in received packet headers to locate unknown devicesin a network. Once a device has been located, its location may recordedin a table referenced by a unique address (e.g., Media Access Control(MAC) address) or the device so as to preclude the need for furtherbroadcasting.

Network element 102 q may be multi-homed such that network elements 102r and 102 s appear as a single network element to network element 102 q.

Network element 102 q may communicate with network elements 102 r and102 s using linear protected switching. Accordingly, network element 102q may be communicatively coupled to network elements 102 r and 102 sthrough a linearly protected switching connection. The linearlyprotected switching connection may comprise a working path 118 and aprotection path 120 and may be similar to the linearly protectedswitching connections described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and5. Network element 102 q may be configured to perform linear protectedswitching between working path 118 and protection path 120. For example,network element 102 q may be configured to perform protection switchingbetween paths 118 and 120 in accordance with the G.8031 standard and maythus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintaining state informationand switchover information for protection switching.

In addition, network elements 102 r and 102 s may be configured toimplement protection switching between working path 118 and protectionpath 120. For example, network elements 102 r and 102 s may beconfigured to perform protection switching between paths 118 and 120 inaccordance with a modified multi-chassis version of the G.8031 standardand each may thus maintain a G.8031 state machine for maintaining stateinformation and switchover information for protection switching. Inaddition, network elements 102 r and 102 s may be communicativelycoupled via a synchronization connection 124. Via synchronizationconnection 124, network elements 102 r and 102 s may communicate to eachother such state information and switchover information. Synchronizationconnection 124 depicted in FIG. 6 may be similar to synchronizationconnections 124 depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and synchronizationsconnections 124 a and 124 b depicted in FIG. 5.

In operation, paths 118 and 120 may provide connectivity for servicesbetween network element 102 q and network elements 102 r and 102 s (andultimately, connectivity for services between network element 102 q andmultipoint-to-multipoint network 130). For a particular service, one ofpaths 118, 120 may be designated as active, such that traffic for suchservice is communicated over such active path. In the event of a failureor other event, one or more of network elements 102 q, 102 r, and 102 smay cause a protection switch of the service from the active path to theother path (e.g., from working path 118 to protection path 120). Incertain embodiments, such protection switching may be implemented inaccordance with the G.8031 standard.

In addition, during operation paths 118 and 120 may be configured inaccordance with any suitable redundancy scheme. For example, a 1+1protection scheme may be used in which traffic is replicated among paths118 and 120 and an end point network element may determine which path toselect. As another example, a 1:1 scheme may be used in which alltraffic is communicated over a single path (e.g., working path 118) andis protection switched to the other path (e.g., protection path 120) inresponse to an event.

Protection switching from one path to another may occur in response toany suitable event. For example, failure of path 118 may cause aswitchover in to path 120. As an additional example, a switchover mayoccur automatically after a failure condition has been remedied (e.g., await to restore timer initiated after a failure on working path 118 maytrigger a switchover from protection path 120 to working path 118). As afurther example, a switchover may occur in response to a human-initiatedaction (e.g., a command to switchover issued by a networkoperator/administrator). All such events may be monitored by networkelements 102 r and 102 s and all such monitoring may be synchronizedbetween network elements 102 r and 102 s via synchronization connection124. In addition, switchovers may be initiated by network element 102 rand/or network element 102 s in response to such monitored events, andsuch initiation of such switchovers may also be synchronized betweennetwork elements 102 r and 102 s via synchronization connection 124.

To support multipoint-to-multipoint technologies (e.g., bridging) inmultipoint-to-multipoint network 130, network elements 102 r and 102 smay be configured to record unique addresses (e.g., MAC addresses) andlocations of devices of multipoint-to-multipoint network 130. Inaddition, the record of unique addresses and locations of devices may besynchronized between network elements 102 r and 102 s viasynchronization connection 124, so as to aid in re-convergence ofmultipoint-to-multipoint network 130 after switchover from one path 118,120 to the other.

A technical advantage of network 100 e is that it provides a redundantsolution to two L2 network domains (a point-to-point network and amultipoint-to-multipoint network) that provide L2 services.

A component of a network 100 (e.g., a network 100 a-100 e) may includean interface, logic, memory, and/or other suitable element. An interfacereceives input, sends output, processes the input and/or output, and/orperforms other suitable operation. An interface may comprise hardwareand/or software.

Logic performs the operations of the component, for example, executesinstructions to generate output from input. Logic may include hardware,software, and/or other logic. Logic may be encoded in one or moretangible computer readable storage media and may perform operations whenexecuted by a computer. Certain logic, such as a processor, may managethe operation of a component. Examples of a processor include one ormore computers, one or more microprocessors, one or more applications,and/or other logic.

A memory stores information. A memory may comprise one or more tangible,computer-readable, and/or computer-executable storage medium. Examplesof memory include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (forexample, a server), and/or other computer-readable medium.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to networks 100without departing from the scope of the invention. The components ofnetworks 100 may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations ofnetworks 100 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.Additionally, operations of networks 100 may be performed using anysuitable logic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each memberof a set or each member of a subset of a set.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technicaladvantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that alarmindication signals that typically originate from maintenance end pointsmay be transmitted in the event that equipment upon which themaintenance end points have experienced a fault, thus reducing theoccurrence of unnecessary alarms.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: communicatively coupling afirst network element to a second network element via a first path of apoint-to-point network; communicatively coupling the first networkelement to a third network element via a second path of thepoint-to-point network, wherein each of the first, second and thirdnetwork elements comprises a plurality of network interfaces and aswitching element coupling the plurality of network interfaces;communicatively coupling the second network element and the thirdnetwork element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network; and configuringthe first path and the second path as paths of a linear protectedswitching connection such that traffic associated with a service andcommunicated between the first network element and themultipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and thesecond path may be switched over to the other of the first path and thesecond path in response to an event.
 2. The method according to claim 1,further comprising configuring the first network element, the secondnetwork element, and the third network element such that the secondnetwork element and the third network element appear as a single networkelement to the first network element.
 3. The method according to claim1, wherein the linear protected switching connection is configured inaccordance with the ITU G.8031 standard with respect to the firstnetwork element.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:communicatively coupling the second network element and the thirdnetwork element via a synchronization connection; and configuring thesecond network element and the third network element to synchronizestatus information for the linear protected switching connection betweenthe second network element and the third network element via thesynchronization connection.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe event comprises one of: a failure of the first path; a failure ofthe second path; a removal of a failure condition; and a human-initiatedcommand to switchover.
 6. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising configuring the linear protected switching connection for 1+1redundancy protection.
 7. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising configuring the linear protected switching connection for 1:1redundancy protection.
 8. A network element, comprising: a processor;and one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing logicthat when executed by the processor is operable to: communicativelycouple the network element to a second network element via a first pathof a point-to-point network; communicatively couple the network elementto a third network element via a second path of the point-to-pointnetwork, wherein each of the network elements comprises a plurality ofnetwork interfaces and a switching element coupling the plurality ofnetwork interfaces; communicatively couple the second network elementand the third network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network; andconfigure the first path and the second path as paths of a linearprotected switching connection such that traffic associated with aservice and communicated between the network element and themultipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and thesecond path may be switched over to the other of the first path and thesecond path in response to an event.
 9. The network element according toclaim 8, wherein the logic is further operable to configure the networkelement such that the second network element and the third networkelement appear as a single network element to the network element. 10.The network element according to claim 8, wherein the linear protectedswitching connection is configured in accordance with the ITU G.8031standard with respect to the first network element.
 11. The networkelement according to claim 8, wherein the event comprises one of: afailure of the first path; a failure of the second path; a removal of afailure condition; and a human-initiated command to switchover.
 12. Thenetwork element according to claim 8, wherein the logic is furtheroperable to configure the linear protected switching connection for 1+1redundancy protection.
 13. The network element according to claim 8,wherein the logic is further operable to configure the linear protectedswitching connection for 1:1 redundancy protection.
 14. A networkelement, comprising: a processor; and one or more non-transitorycomputer readable media storing logic that when executed by theprocessor is operable to: communicatively couple the network element toa second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network;communicatively couple the network element and to a third networkelement via a synchronization connection, wherein each of the networkelements comprises a plurality of network interfaces and a switchingelement coupling the plurality of network interfaces; communicativelycouple the network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network;wherein: the second network element and the third network element areconfigured to be communicatively coupled via a second path of thepoint-to-point network such that the first path and the second path maybe configured as paths of a linear protected switching connection; thethird network element is configured to be communicatively coupled to themultipoint-to-multipoint network; and traffic associated with a serviceand communicated between the second network element and themultipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and thesecond path may be switched over to the other of the first path and thesecond path in response to an event; and configure the network elementand the third network element to synchronize status information for thelinear protected switching connection between the network element andthe third network element via the synchronization connection.
 15. Thenetwork element according to claim 14, wherein the logic is furtheroperable to configure the network element such that the network elementand the third network element appear as a single network element to thesecond network element.
 16. The network element according to claim 14,wherein the linear protected switching connection is configured inaccordance with the ITU G.8031 standard with respect to the secondnetwork element.
 17. The network element according to claim 14, whereinthe event comprises one of: a failure of the first path; a failure ofthe second path; a removal of a failure condition; and a human-initiatedcommand to switchover.
 18. The network element according to claim 14,wherein the logic is further operable to configure the linear protectedswitching connection for 1+1 redundancy protection.
 19. The networkelement according to claim 14, wherein the logic is further operable toconfigure the linear protected switching connection for 1:1 redundancyprotection.